The Goodwood Revival has long been a staple event for racing and classic car enthusiasts alike. It combines racing of world class historic machinery with a time warp atmosphere back to when people wore their ‘Sunday best’ at such occasions. The Goodwood Revival is an event that is unrivalled in terms of both atmosphere and the sheer variety of exotic automobiles that gather there.
On September 9th, 2018 the inaugural Hagerty Renaissance Meeting took place. It was a free-to-enter event organised for those who were unable to attend Goodwood and included live screening of the Goodwood Revival Sunday races along with Home Guard re-enactments, vintage hairdressers and local air displays. Although tickets were free, they had to be reserved in advance and all those attending had to do so in pre-1978 (Historic Tax status) vehicles. The meeting was also an opportunity to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund of which £255 was raised, an apt charity given the historic status of Bicester Heritage as an RAF bomber base and this being the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force.
That morning, after the short trip from the Hagerty offices into Bicester and picking up signs that had been knocked over in the wind, we were all set to welcome people. Bicester Heritage had opened up the full site, focussing the event in the main technical yard where the racing was being streamed onto a big LED screen. Seating, burgers and beer were all set up ready for people to enjoy the racing in a relaxed car-filled environment. The sun was out from the get-go and clusters of cars trundled in to what turned out to be a fantastic collection of classic and vintage cars dating as far back as before the war, with many people in period dress.
‘We had a really terrific day, and everyone made such an effort to get into the spirit of the event with their vehicles, picnics and clothes. It was just like being at the event itself’ said our Managing Director, Angus Forsyth.
Favourites included a scarlet red Healey Silverstone owned by the same family from new and still driven as intended by the original owner’s daughter, an Aston Martin DB6 tucked away in the shade and a beautifully-original green Jaguar XK120 coupe stood guard at the entrance of the main yard, catching the eye as people soaked up the sunshine.
Each space around the airbase was filled with the finest cars of their time with a backdrop that suited their era– it would have no doubt been a thinner turnout if the weather wasn’t so kind, but by 6 o’clock people were still enjoying a quiet drink watching the last race at Goodwood wrap up.
Participant, Pan Trudy said ‘Many thanks for to the team that organised the Renaissance at Bicester Heritage. This was the event of the year for us as we have done the Revival for the last 17 years, but due to ill health decided not to go and instead watched Friday and Saturday on Youtube. Please, please, please do it again next year; the atmosphere was great!’
Stylish duo Gary and Linda Davis won a pair of tickets to the Revival 2019 after being judged ‘Best Dressed Couple’, their outfits complete with lots of ‘50s accessories such as a Roberts radio, retro turntable and their stunning Chevrolet Impala. ‘We love the Revival,’ said Gary ‘but were not able to attend this year, so the Renaissance is the perfect way to enjoy the event without being present. It’s a brilliant idea and we’ve had a great day.’
At Hagerty we love bringing classic car enthusiasts together and this was an opportunity to do that and more. We will be looking to put on the Renaissance once again for 2019 and will release more information as it comes.
Can you have jiving next year? Get a band. I can suggest a few. I would love to join in with my Austin mini born 1960… or is it not old enough ?? ? Fabulous Julie
Sounds like my sort of meet